Ok we got my daughters car today. - Welcome to TriFive.com 1955 - 1956 - 1957 Chevy's Bel Air Tri5 210 150 Nomad Forum, Photo Gallery and Classifieds. Here you can Buy, Sell, or Trade. Get or Give Advice, or Just Talk Classic Cars.

rrbrown · 09-01-2009, 12:54 AM

Well we got her car today and the guy be bought it from was nice enough to deliver it to my house. For those of you that don't know from my intro post, My 16 year old daughter asked to buy this car and for us to restore it. This will be our first restore and I haven't worked on cars in over 15 years so I will probably be asking for advise often. After we got it home and situated under my patio which is where we will have to work on it, we took everything out of it including a dead mouse and cleaned it up. It took us about 3 1/2 hours. Anyway here are a few pictures of it.

IMG_2778.jpg

IMG_2769.jpg

IMG_2783.jpg

IMG_2785.jpg

IMG_2793.jpg

Why are these pictures small?

MightyMouse57 · 09-01-2009, 12:59 AM

You have some great Father/Daughter time coming your way, looks like a good car.

Thanks for the pictures and

Mark Savage · 09-01-2009, 01:00 AM

Awesome,from what I can see in the pictures it looks pretty solid.The trunk looks very clean,it looks like a great find and will make for a very cool build.Take care-Mark

rrbrown · 09-01-2009, 01:19 AM

First off the body is in pretty good condition other than the Floorboard needs some work and on door has a small amount of rust. We intend on taking it down to the metal since rust is coming threw the primer that was used before we got it. We will then spray it with epoxy primer. The under carriage looks like he already undercoated it but since he floor boards need work we're going to pull the cab and double check it to be safe. Now for my questions.

1. My daughter can't drive a standard and I would rather this car have more reliable fuel injection instead of the carburetor on the straight 6 that is in it now. If I leave the engine in it (well rebuild it) does anyone know if I can put an automatic on this 55 Belair with a straight 6? I also would like to know if anyone knows of a electronic ignition and a fuel injection conversion that may be available for this car?

2. My other thought which would cost more would be to put a new engine and transmission in it. Probably a 350 if it would fit. the Engine compartment looks to small for the 350. Does anyone know if it will fit and if so what do I need to do to mount it? The motor mount on this 6 are in the front and they are more to the middle on a 350 right? Is there a good car new with fuel injection to use as a donor car?

3. My daughter Raechel wants this car as close to original as possible but still wants some modern things like a/c. I would prefer power brakes and power steering for safety and like I said earlier fuel injection for more reliability. This car will be driven as her main form of transportation. I have sen conversion kits for brakes and stering but nothing for A/C which is needed in Louisiana. Any suggestions?

Here are some more pictures, and yes I did see the build with Fuzzy and storm. Very nice but we are biginners so I already contacted him about some stuff.

IMG_2758.jpg

IMG_2790.jpg

IMG_2789.jpg

rrbrown · 09-01-2009, 01:39 AM

We have both the small window and the larger one on both sides in the front that are broken. The glass is a green tint which I assume is original or at the least old. How do I match it or do We need to replace all the glass so it will all match?

We are taking the chrome to a professional to see if it's worth re-chroming but wondered if we could clean up rust on the SS trim using a bench grinder with a buffing wheel? If I have to buy 1 or 2 pieces of SS trim will it match the older stuff OK or do I need to do something special to make it match?

This is the SS we need to clean up and the only rust i can find other then the floor boards. The other 2 pictures are of all the stuff we took out the car.

IMG_2786.jpg

IMG_2788.jpg

IMG_2801.jpg

IMG_2802.jpg

Lloyd's 55 · 09-01-2009, 03:02 AM

[QUOTE=rrbrown;281165]First off the body is in pretty good condition other than the Floorboard needs some work and on door has a small amount of rust.
1. My daughter can't drive a standard and I would rather this car have more reliable fuel injection instead of the carburetor on the straight 6 that is in it now.
3. My daughter Raechel wants this car as close to original as possible but still wants some modern things like a/c. I would prefer power brakes and power steering for safety and like I said earlier fuel injection for more reliability. This car will be driven as her main form of transportation. I have sen conversion kits for brakes and stering but nothing for A/C which is needed in Louisiana. Any suggestions?

She can learn to drive a standard and might just love it. Little extra charisma to owning a trifive. Upgrades for safety, brakes, air conditioning, power sterring, go for it. Motor, you and her choice. With a LITTLE guidance, let her roll her own as Fuzzy did (except for making it a shorty). Very hard to do, but LET HER MAKE IT HERS. jmo

Lloyd

210ratrod · 09-01-2009, 03:13 AM

Richard,
Yes indeed a 350 will fit without any trouble. Probably half the members here have them in their cars. They mount up the same as a 265 would have (or any first gen small block). You already have the holes in the frame diagonally behind the 6 cyl. frame holes. You can stuff a big block in there if you need to without much trouble. The old 235 sixes are very reliable, quiet, economical engines without fuel injection, I'm not sure anyone currently makes an EFI conversion for those engines. Unfortunately, by today's standards, they're rather weak, power-wise.
I personally don't know if there are conversion kits available to put a Turbo 350/400 or 700R4 behind a 235, but Powerglides were available in '55.
Yes, there are A/C kits available for you car, here's a link...
http://www.vintageair.com/cat2007/36.pdf
They're a bit pricey, but from what I hear, they're great systems.
EZI (tinted) replacement glass is available...
http://www.classicchevy.com/find.asp...c=tinted+glass
The rust on your stainless looks like it will clean up fairly easy, as the stainless itself doesn't rust.
From what I can see in your pix, this car looks pretty good. The inner trunk walls and lower quarter doglegs in front of the rear wheel well looks solid. More folks will chime in soon, Good Luck with your project!

Tim

Kiwi56 · 09-01-2009, 03:36 AM

Hi Richard
what an awesome starting point ,you can still see where the sticker was on the trunk wall beside the spare tire !

by the looks of your photo's metal work will be minimal ,would like to see a pic of the floorpans....

Whatever you and Rachel decide to power it with .. I agree with Lloyd ...
as it will be her main transport,
Let Rachel make it hers !
But most of all enjoy the build and the time together

mickeywestsr · 09-01-2009, 06:29 AM

I have great memories with my son & daughter..........get to it Hoss.

races14 · 09-01-2009, 06:49 AM

If I have to buy 1 or 2 pieces of SS trim will it match the older stuff OK or do I need to do something special to make it match?

Richard, You might give Paul a call at Doo - Wop Motors for your missing trim pieces. I have found him to very reasonable and he will sell polished or unpolished!! His number is 908-526-3749 Evenings. Good luck with your daughters project!!!

Allen

09-01-2009, 12:54 AM	#1
rrbrown Member Join Date: Aug 2009 rrbrown's Garage Location: Baton Rouge, La Posts: 23 Member #10170	Ok we got my daughters car today. Well we got her car today and the guy be bought it from was nice enough to deliver it to my house. For those of you that don't know from my intro post, My 16 year old daughter asked to buy this car and for us to restore it. This will be our first restore and I haven't worked on cars in over 15 years so I will probably be asking for advise often. After we got it home and situated under my patio which is where we will have to work on it, we took everything out of it including a dead mouse and cleaned it up. It took us about 3 1/2 hours. Anyway here are a few pictures of it. IMG_2778.jpg IMG_2769.jpg IMG_2783.jpg IMG_2785.jpg IMG_2793.jpg Why are these pictures small? Last edited by rrbrown; 09-01-2009 at 12:58 AM..

09-01-2009, 12:59 AM	#2
MightyMouse57 Senior Member 2 Gold Stars Join Date: Mar 2008 MightyMouse57's Garage Location: Spokane Valley, Washington Posts: 2,824 Member #5072	You have some great Father/Daughter time coming your way, looks like a good car. Thanks for the pictures and __________________ Rick

09-01-2009, 01:19 AM	#4
rrbrown Member Join Date: Aug 2009 rrbrown's Garage Location: Baton Rouge, La Posts: 23 Member #10170	I have a few questions before we really start First off the body is in pretty good condition other than the Floorboard needs some work and on door has a small amount of rust. We intend on taking it down to the metal since rust is coming threw the primer that was used before we got it. We will then spray it with epoxy primer. The under carriage looks like he already undercoated it but since he floor boards need work we're going to pull the cab and double check it to be safe. Now for my questions. 1. My daughter can't drive a standard and I would rather this car have more reliable fuel injection instead of the carburetor on the straight 6 that is in it now. If I leave the engine in it (well rebuild it) does anyone know if I can put an automatic on this 55 Belair with a straight 6? I also would like to know if anyone knows of a electronic ignition and a fuel injection conversion that may be available for this car? 2. My other thought which would cost more would be to put a new engine and transmission in it. Probably a 350 if it would fit. the Engine compartment looks to small for the 350. Does anyone know if it will fit and if so what do I need to do to mount it? The motor mount on this 6 are in the front and they are more to the middle on a 350 right? Is there a good car new with fuel injection to use as a donor car? 3. My daughter Raechel wants this car as close to original as possible but still wants some modern things like a/c. I would prefer power brakes and power steering for safety and like I said earlier fuel injection for more reliability. This car will be driven as her main form of transportation. I have sen conversion kits for brakes and stering but nothing for A/C which is needed in Louisiana. Any suggestions? Here are some more pictures, and yes I did see the build with Fuzzy and storm. Very nice but we are biginners so I already contacted him about some stuff. IMG_2758.jpg IMG_2790.jpg IMG_2789.jpg Last edited by rrbrown; 09-01-2009 at 01:41 AM..

09-01-2009, 01:39 AM	#5
rrbrown Member Join Date: Aug 2009 rrbrown's Garage Location: Baton Rouge, La Posts: 23 Member #10170	One last set of questions We have both the small window and the larger one on both sides in the front that are broken. The glass is a green tint which I assume is original or at the least old. How do I match it or do We need to replace all the glass so it will all match? We are taking the chrome to a professional to see if it's worth re-chroming but wondered if we could clean up rust on the SS trim using a bench grinder with a buffing wheel? If I have to buy 1 or 2 pieces of SS trim will it match the older stuff OK or do I need to do something special to make it match? This is the SS we need to clean up and the only rust i can find other then the floor boards. The other 2 pictures are of all the stuff we took out the car. IMG_2786.jpg IMG_2788.jpg IMG_2801.jpg IMG_2802.jpg

09-01-2009, 03:02 AM	#6
Lloyd's 55 Senior Member 1 Gold Star Join Date: Jul 2007 Lloyd's 55's Garage Location: Denison, Texas Posts: 1,827 Member #3138	[QUOTE=rrbrown;281165]First off the body is in pretty good condition other than the Floorboard needs some work and on door has a small amount of rust. 1. My daughter can't drive a standard and I would rather this car have more reliable fuel injection instead of the carburetor on the straight 6 that is in it now. 3. My daughter Raechel wants this car as close to original as possible but still wants some modern things like a/c. I would prefer power brakes and power steering for safety and like I said earlier fuel injection for more reliability. This car will be driven as her main form of transportation. I have sen conversion kits for brakes and stering but nothing for A/C which is needed in Louisiana. Any suggestions? She can learn to drive a standard and might just love it. Little extra charisma to owning a trifive. Upgrades for safety, brakes, air conditioning, power sterring, go for it. Motor, you and her choice. With a LITTLE guidance, let her roll her own as Fuzzy did (except for making it a shorty). Very hard to do, but LET HER MAKE IT HERS. jmo Lloyd __________________ Eatin this ELEPHANT one bite at a tme. JUST MAKE IT YOURS, PUT IT ON THE ROAD AND ENJOY IT.!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Last edited by Lloyd's 55; 09-01-2009 at 03:16 AM..

09-01-2009, 03:13 AM	#7
210ratrod Senior Member 1 Gold Star Join Date: Dec 2007 210ratrod's Garage Location: West Chester, Ohio Posts: 1,012 Member #4252	Richard, Yes indeed a 350 will fit without any trouble. Probably half the members here have them in their cars. They mount up the same as a 265 would have (or any first gen small block). You already have the holes in the frame diagonally behind the 6 cyl. frame holes. You can stuff a big block in there if you need to without much trouble. The old 235 sixes are very reliable, quiet, economical engines without fuel injection, I'm not sure anyone currently makes an EFI conversion for those engines. Unfortunately, by today's standards, they're rather weak, power-wise. I personally don't know if there are conversion kits available to put a Turbo 350/400 or 700R4 behind a 235, but Powerglides were available in '55. Yes, there are A/C kits available for you car, here's a link... http://www.vintageair.com/cat2007/36.pdf They're a bit pricey, but from what I hear, they're great systems. EZI (tinted) replacement glass is available... http://www.classicchevy.com/find.asp...c=tinted+glass The rust on your stainless looks like it will clean up fairly easy, as the stainless itself doesn't rust. From what I can see in your pix, this car looks pretty good. The inner trunk walls and lower quarter doglegs in front of the rear wheel well looks solid. More folks will chime in soon, Good Luck with your project! Tim __________________ Surf green '57 210 2dr. sedan Don't call my car a classic, it's just an old Chevy.

09-01-2009, 03:36 AM	#8
Kiwi56 Senior Member 3 Gold Stars Join Date: Mar 2009 Kiwi56's Garage Location: Invercargill , New Zealand Posts: 3,838 Member #8288	Hi Richard what an awesome starting point ,you can still see where the sticker was on the trunk wall beside the spare tire ! by the looks of your photo's metal work will be minimal ,would like to see a pic of the floorpans.... Whatever you and Rachel decide to power it with .. I agree with Lloyd ... as it will be her main transport, Let Rachel make it hers ! But most of all enjoy the build and the time together __________________ Chris 56 210 2dr Sedan -Cheap version ,could only afford 2 doors ! Good things take time......... and this happens to be an Exceptionally good thing ! Southland Chevrolet Club Inc

09-01-2009, 06:29 AM	#9
mickeywestsr Trifive Leaders Club Join Date: Feb 2007 mickeywestsr's Garage Location: Chattanooga, Tennessee Posts: 8,126 Member #1970	I have great memories with my son & daughter..........get to it Hoss. __________________ GO VOLS If Its Not Good Enough For Washington Then Its Not Good Enough For My Family

09-01-2009, 06:49 AM	#10
races14 Member Join Date: Jan 2007 races14's Garage Location: Sebring, FL Posts: 59 Member #1802	If I have to buy 1 or 2 pieces of SS trim will it match the older stuff OK or do I need to do something special to make it match? Richard, You might give Paul a call at Doo - Wop Motors for your missing trim pieces. I have found him to very reasonable and he will sell polished or unpolished!! His number is 908-526-3749 Evenings. Good luck with your daughters project!!! Allen __________________ Allen & Linda McEntire http://www.picturetrail.com/races14/ http://www.cruisenewsonline.com/1956...vyFeature.html 56 210 2dr Sedan 10 Silverado 2500HD 07 Corvette Conv.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode